For the first time in almost four years, the Buffalo Bills will have a starting left tackle who is not Cordy Glenn.
Cordy Glenn is OUT for tomorrow's game vs. Jets, Sammy Watkins is QUESTIONABLE #Bills
— WGR 550 (@WGR550) September 14, 2016
Glenn has been a stalwart since missing three games in his rookie season. The game will break his streak of 50 straight starts dating back to week seven of the 2012 season. It also comes on the heels of both a major contract extension and a preseason where he spent most of his time on the sidelines to rest the ankle that is keeping him out of tomorrow night’s game. He re-injured the ankle in the first half against the Ravens, leaving Cyrus Kouandjio to take his place. The former second-round pick performed well, and finds himself rewarded with a start in primetime against a defense that recorded seven sacks against Cincinnati.
Watkins’ injury is a little more cloudy. As recently as Monday, it seemed like he would be missing at least a month, if not more, due to “severe discomfort” in his foot. That was quickly refuted, but it’s hard to say what’s really going on with the star wideout right now. For what it’s worth, Watkins himself seems intent on playing against the Jets. “Questionable” is about as good of a description of the situation as any right now.
There are six other Bills on the injury report this week. Colt Anderson is the only other player listed as “out,” so he’ll miss his second game in a row from a foot injury. Jerel Worthy, Jim Dray, Charles Clay, Kevon Seymour, and Cardale Jones are all listed as “questionable,” and all were limited in practice on Wednesday.
It seems like Seymour should be good to make his NFL debut on Thursday, and Worthy should be set to join him after injuring his knee late in the season-opening loss at Baltimore. It’d be unfortunate if both Clay and Dray missed the game, leaving the Bills with only one viable option at tight end against the Jets, so hopefully Rex is using the injury report as a gamesmanship tool and at least one of them is closer to the old “probable” designation. Jones should be inactive all season whether he’s injured or not, but the more practice he puts in, the better.
If Watkins misses the game, Walt Powell (who wasn’t active against the Ravens) should play after a solid preseason. The release of Glenn Gronkowski leaves the team short on players who can split out without telegraphing the play, but Jerome Felton’s return to the team can give them an extra blocker when necessary. The defensive front played well against the Ravens, especially Leger Douzable, and should be able to survive a week if Worthy can’t go.